Terrorism
continues to impact populations around the world. Acts of violence motivated by political or
spiritual views leave physical and emotional scars on victims, their families
and the global psyche. Likewise, they shape domestic and international
political landscapes.

On
Nov. 1 and 2, terrorism expert Chris Harmon will address the topic during two
conversations at the University of Houston’s Honors College (inside the
university’s M.D. Anderson Library). Both talks are free and open to the
community. To RSVP or for additional details, visit the event’s website.

Harmon
is the author of “Terrorism Today.” He has taught courses on terrorism,
counterterrorism, and strategy and policy at the Institute of World Politics in
Washington, D.C., and the George C. Marshall European Center for Security
Studies in Germany. He holds the Matthew C. Horner Chair of Military Theory at
Marine Corps University, where he has taught for more than two decades.

At
UH, Harmon will host the following two events:

How Terrorist Groups End – 5 p.m.,
Nov. 1 in the Honors College Commons (second floor of the M.D. Anderson
Library) Hundreds of terrorist organizations have faded just as quickly as they have
risen. Harmon will explore five common reasons that contributed to the
dissolution of terrorist groups. He also will discuss Al Qaeda and its parallels
with 19th century anarchism (a movement that disappeared by the
1920s). Harmon regularly lectures on this topic and contributed a chapter on it
for a book he co-edited, “Toward a Grand Strategy Against Terrorism.”

A Conversation: The Ideas Behind
Terrorism – 2 p.m., Nov. 2 in room 212L of the M.D. Anderson Library Harmon will focus on the ideas that
perpetuate acts of terror. In his book, “Terrorism Today,” he addresses the
leaders of extremist movements and how they have engaged their followers
through their talents as thinkers, communicators and persuaders. During his
talk, Harmon will address the ideological underpinnings of contemporary
terrorist groups and share thoughts on nationalism, neo-fascism, communism,
anarchism and religion. After sharing his thoughts on the topic, he will take
questions from the audience and lead a general discussion.